- I actually entered this photo in Glory Haus's Live Original Contest, and I really like the way it turned out, so I'm using it for this post. -

Back to School Part 5

I think all of us can say that we have had a little bit of a bad attitude about school, the dreaded s word. I know I have. (Like, a really bad attitude. Ask the madre.) Half of me dreads walking into the hallways of my high school, and half of me is strangely excited. All of me, though is nervous about how everyone will see me. I've been writing all summer, trying to encourage people with my words. I've been setting a standard for Christian teenage living that I often can't meet, and I'm afraid people will see that. I'm afraid that I'll become so frustrated that I'll break and fail in front of everyone.

Keeping that in mind, I have one last challenge for everyone, including myself:

Let's stop the gossip and lift each other up instead. Let's stop beating around the bush and be truthful and loving at the same time, like Jesus did. Let's stop building up barriers around our cliques and be genuinely nice to everyone. Let's spread shalom wherever we go, creating an atmosphere of peace and acceptance. Let's recognize sinful behavior with a loving attitude without endorsing it, and let's look into our own hearts daily to see if there is any sin we need to confess before we criticize others. Let's be real wherever we go and stop saying, "I'm fine," when we're really not fine. Let's bear each other's burdens and really care about each other.

I'm tired of drama and bullies. Let's make people realize that the greatest joy comes from spreading God's peace, not spreading hate and building up barriers between fellow classmates. Even if we're bound to forget at least a fourth of what we learn, let's really enjoy high school and be ourselves, because you know what? Puzzle pieces don't all look the same, but when they're put together they form a beautiful whole.

My prayer for myself and everyone this year is one of my favorite verses: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

Let's be the light, Christians. Let's point to Jesus instead of ourselves and live a life that He would approve of.